5 Things About Climbing I Wish I Knew 5 Years Ago | Crux Crush. Sarah Williams putting her climbing lessons learned into practice. (Photo credit: Carlo Nasisse) We’ve all had that moment in climbing where something finally clicks, either physically or mentally. For most of us, that moment came later in our climbing career – followed by that temporary moment of regret: ‘If only I’d known this when I first started climbing!’

Today Sarah Williams shares her list of 5 things she wish she’d known when she started climbing 5 years ago. While it might be too late for some of us, hopefully Sarah’s advice will inspire any newbies just getting into the sport! Lesson #1: Try Harder Stuff Any gym rat can tell you that grades are very subjective. Sarah working (and falling) on the first long move of a pumpy V8 (Photo credit: Jeline Guiles) But, if we never try hard, we’ll never improve. Example–I used to rarely climb roofs because I knew that I was horrible at them. Trying the heel on try #1. Lesson #2: The 7 Try Rule Now trying the far toe hook on try #2.